Loaches Online Forum

G'day all.

What is a dither fish? Everyone mentions them, and I pretend to know what you mean, but I think its time I proved to you all how dence I am and ask.

What are they?

"Dither" fish are generally some form of active shoaling fish. Other fish, such as Loaches use them as a safety guage. If the fish are swimming around happily.....dithering about.....it most probably means that there are no predators about and therefore it's safe to come out from hiding. In other words they are confidence builders.

People tend to use Danios, Rasboras, Tetras or Barbs a lot. The other option is Rainbow fish which you ought to have no problem getting huh?

Martin.

Ahhh... The world makes sence again.

Suprisingly enough, rainbows are pretty expensive here. Pretty sad ey.

So who would be the "best" dither fish for someone whos going to attempt to breed hillies?

Sorry, I'm asking so many n00b questions, but I'd rather find out from you 'experts' then from trial and (mainly) error

The best dithers would be no dithers. Truly. I took everything predatory out of my tank excapt the Danios. I got baby cheni two weeks later, but caught one of the Danios homing in on one, so then removed them too.

Danios and such like are really effective fry hunters. So if you seriously want to raise hillies, no dithers is the best way to go. My fish have zero difference in behaviour since there's no dithers. I'm not sure that for Gastromyzon and Pseudogastromyzon they're of much value. They just "go for it" without the reservations of some other Loaches like Botia for instance.

Martin.

Two of the best dithers that I have are:

Rasbora Pauciperforata


and Puntius Gelius


They are both very timid and dont seem to bother fry.